I don’t need you to listen, but I do need to tell you something: Thoughts on needs.

I don’t need to drink beer, but I do need to breathe air.

I don’t need to have a God and faith in a life after death, but I do need to be alive now for me.

I don’t need to be with one particular person, but I do need to have love in my life.

I don’t need to learn the current cost of my health care, but I do need there to be one that works, if I get sick.

I don’t need to care about bad relations in blood, but I do need good relations with good people.

I don’t need to vote, but we need to have a democracy that is truly on the side of people–not of corporations.

I don’t need to win – ever – but I do need to triumph over those who don’t want to grand me these needs.

I don’t need to dance the waltz, but I do need to move unrestrained most of the time.

I don’t need to visit Mecca, but I do need to see beyond the horizon from the place that happens to be my home.

And I don’t need to be at home anywhere, but I do need to be around somewhere.

I don’t need a king or queen, but I do need a rule of law. One that gets in the way of those who don’t want to grand me these needs.

I don’t need to give upon asking, but I do need to give, if possible, so you can have what you need.

I don’t need to raise my voice, but I do need to speak up, not when things are already unbearable, but against each infringement to the better parts in human nature–most of all the consent.

I don’t need to take a shit on your value of culture – pardon the language – but I do need you to realize culture is a silly business. Yes, a silly business where you need to wear silly hats, sing silly songs, and pretend your traditions are fulfilling a need.